Jesus Speaks From The Cross

SERMON SUBJECT: JESUS SPEAKS FROM THE CROSS

SERMON TEXT: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”... “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:5-6, 12).

SERMON THESIS: Jesus bore the wrath of God on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place for us in heaven which He offers as a free gift.

INTRODUCTION: Having read the gospels many times and now having seen the movie, The Passion of The Christ, produced by actor Mel Gibson, depicting the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life on this earth, including His crucifixion, the words He spoke from the cross are echoing in my mind. There are seven such sayings of Jesus, recorded by the inspired writers; sayings that impacted those who heard with eternal ramifications, and sayings that continue to impact the lives of those who hear them today.

In this message, we will hear again Jesus’ words from the cross, and after hearing them we will, with discernment and determination, depending on our response, conclude what are the meanings and consequences they still hold for us.

First, we will hear . . .

I. A PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS - As you read the gospels, you realize that Jesus was a man of prayer. His prayer life did not cease even while He was suffering on the cross. He prayed for those who were crucifying Him. Luke records these words for us.

“And there were also two other, malefactors, led with Him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ And they parted His raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:32-34).

Jesus, I believe, continues to pray for sinners. In our ignorance, He prays, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” It is in the book of Acts, that Luke identifies those individuals who crucified Jesus ...

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:22-23).

My new friends, it was your sins and mine that nailed Jesus to the cross. Aren’t you glad He prayed to the Father to forgive you?

Second, we hear ...

II. A WORD OF ASSURANCE - Dying between two thieves, Jesus turned to the one who trusted Him and gave him a word of assurance.

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, ‘Dost no thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:39-43).

Did you know that at the very moment we repent of our sin; receiving Jesus as our Savior, He gives us the same word of assurance? Speaking of assurance, did you know that you have eternal life the moment, when by faith, like the thief on the cross, you ask Jesus for forgiveness? God’s Word gives us this assurance...

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

 In light of the assurance that Jesus gives, may I ask you a question... “Do you know for certain that if you were to die tonight you would go to heaven?” If you don’t have that assurance, you can have it before you leave this service.

Third, we witness...

III. A TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY - Being the responsible Son He was, Jesus did not allow the anguish He was undergoing deter Him from showing loving care toward His mother. He made certain that His mother would be taken care of after He was gone. As seen in the following verses, He transferred His responsibility to His beloved disciple, John ...

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, ‘Woman, behold thy son!’ Then saidth he to the disciple, ‘Behold thy mother!’ and from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (John 19:25-27).

For you and me, Jesus has not left a stone unturned concerning our welfare. It was the Apostle Paul who wrote ...

“But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

Jesus accepted the responsibility from the Father to see to it that every need we have would be met–especially our need for eternal life. Does not the Bible tells us, “It is not His will that anyone should perish but that everyone have eternal life?” Jesus was obedient to the Father, to the end, in fulfilling all that the Father has sent Him to do. One writer said, “As he died, Jesus showed His divine love for His mother. Thus He served other people’s needs to the last.”

Jesus taught us to be responsible stewards over everything that He has given us to manage while we are on this earth. He is our perfect example where responsibility is concerned.

Fourth, hear...

IV. A CRY OF DESPERATION - The Bible says ...

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21).

Since Jesus was made to be sin for our sake, this meant that He would have to experience rejection from the Father. It would be necessary for Him to absorb the wrath of God, which included rejection by, and separation from, the Father. Thus we hear His cry of desperation. The Bible says ...

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? (Psalm 22:1).

“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared” (Hebrews 5:7).

“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:45-46).

In retrospect of His cry of desperation, in the words of this old hymn, we can sing, “I saw One hanging on a tree in agony and blood. He fixed His languid eyes on me as near the cross I stood. Oh can it be upon a tree–a Savior died for me. My soul is filled, my heart is filled–to think He died for me.” He died alone for you and me.

Fifth, hear His...

V. SIGH OF EXHAUSTION - Death by Roman crucifixion in the first century was a horrible way to die. Pointing to the cross, it was the Psalmist who depicts the suffering of the Savior...

“Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:20-21).

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth” (John 19:28-29).

To add to His misery, instead of giving Him water, they offered him vinegar. Receiving the vinegar, however, “That the Scripture might be fulfilled,” then comes...

VI. A CRY OF VICTORY - The words “It is finished” in the Greek is “Tetelestai” which literally translated means, “It has been finished,” or as some translations have it, means “Paid in full.” You see, my new friends, the resurrection proves once and for all that the all sufficient price for our sins has been paid.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished’: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).

Question: What was paid in full? “Our sins and guilt that accompanied them. What was paid? –The price of redemption! What was accomplished? –The work the Father had given Him to do.”

The cry of victory included full vindication. The resurrection vindicated Jesus’ horrible death on the cross.

VII. A FINAL WORD OF COMMITMENT - Following the cry of victory the Savior was fully vindicated. The Bible says ...

“And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit’: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost” (Luke 23:44-46).

The stage had now been set for full vindication, following the cry of victory. The resurrection vindicated Jesus’ horrible death on the cross. When Jesus spoke His final words from the cross, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” the stage was set for His vindication. After the resurrection, in the words of the Apostle Paul, He Jesus, “was taken up to glory”(I Tim. 3:16).

 In the words of Dr. John Piper, author of The Passion of Jesus Christ, “ ... the Great Shepherd has been raised and lives forever.” And so will we be taken up to glory to live with Him forever, if we have received His gift of eternal life.

CONCLUSION: My dear friend, “There is room at the cross for you ... though millions have come, there’s still room for one–there’s room at the cross for you.” Jesus is still speaking from the cross. Do you hear Him. If so, will you respond to His voice?